From 2010 until 2015 Malaria cases in PNG dropped significantly, but since then cases have continued to rise despite the best efforts to implement and monitor Malaria Prevention and Treatment Programs.

RAM PNG, under Chair Ron Seddon, RC Port Moresby, is the Principal Recipient of the Global Fund malaria grant and has been since 2010. This year 16 million dollars has been allocated in the fight against malaria with 77.6% being provided by Global Fund – an international organisation that provides financing to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

In this Rotary year, RAM Australia is providing AUD82,000 for the Chasing Malaria Program headed by RAM PNG Consultant Tim Freeman. Tim has been working with malaria for many years, including some 10 years in Papua New Guinea. Tim has for some time been investigating reasons why malaria has been on the increase since 2015.

The following problems are being studied.

Treatment Failure: drug resistance, non compliance of not taking the full course, expired drugs, Health Staff giving the wrong dose, not seeking treatment, diagnostic test problems, Health Staff behaviour. When not supervised some Health Staff cease to manage and test for malaria.

Other Problems: not sleeping under nets, mosquitos biting earlier ( malaria mosquitos bite at night), people staying up later, nets not working, not repaired or washed correctly, insecticide resistance , nets not up to date, tribal fights and remoteness preventing access to nets and malaria services, lack of adequate training programs of Health Workers, correct recording of cases and treatment, poor communication. Note – Covid-19 cases have been very low.